Our Statement on USDA Elimination of Vital Hunger Data

Each year, thousands of people from across the state choose Hunger Relief Day as their time to attend the fair, donating non-perishable food in exchange for admission. The event is the largest single-day food drive in the state — providing more than six million meals to area families so far (and growing every year!) 

Politicians in Washington voted to slash the federal safety nets that help millions of people in North Carolina afford food and medicine. They know their decisions will worsen our hunger crisis, and now they're attempting to hide the evidence by eliminating impact data that has been available to the public for decades.

Administrative changes at the USDA can't erase the reality our communities face every day: the price of groceries remains out of reach for far too many families — and more people are seeking food assistance today than any point in the past 20 years.

Our hunger relief network relies on this data to target resources where they're needed most, especially in rural communities where services are more difficult to access. The General Assembly and state agencies need reliable data to make smart investments in the most effective programs. This information takes even greater importance when tight budgets require tough decisions — and there are no shortage of difficult fiscal discussions underway right now.

We need our Members of Congress to understand the impact this irresponsible decision will have on  kids, seniors, and people with disabilities across North Carolina. It's incredibly important that we all make our voices heard and urge elected leaders to restore vital hunger data.

– Jason Kanawati Stephany Food Bank Vice President

We’re deeply grateful to Smithfield Foods and the N.C. State Fair for their continued support and belief that everyone deserves access to nutritious food.

Each year, we partner with Smithfield Foods and the N.C. State Fair for Hunger Relief Day.  

“It’s a great way for folks to come out and enjoy the excitement and the energy at the North Carolina State Fair while also joining Smithfield in the fight against Hunger,” said Jonathan Toms, Smithfield Foods’ Senior Community Development Manager.  

Hunger Relief Day is the state’s largest single-day food drive and supplies thousands of meals for families across NC. In 2025, fairgoers donated more than 150,000 meals' worth of food for local families facing hunger. 

“We’re able to take that food and get it out in the hands of the people who need it most,” Toms shared.  

He emphasized that everyone has a role in the fight against hunger. Hunger Relief Day is an opportunity for people to make what he calls an “incredible impact."

Yes, you get free admittance to the fair, [but] you also get an incredible opportunity to make a difference right here in our community."

– Jonathan Toms Sr. Community Development Manager for Smithfield Foods

Fairgoers hoping to participate in this year’s Hunger Relief Day, on Thursday, Oct. 22, can bring six non-perishable food items in exchange for free admission to the fair. Community members can also sign up online to participate as a volunteer. 

From the volunteers who work the gates, to the drivers who transport food donations, to the generous contributions of healthy protein, Hunger Relief Day is a partnership and labor of love that we can all be proud of. 

Together, we’re not just nourishing neighbors — we’re building a stronger, more resilient North Carolina.